Hongdae restaurant with kids in Seoul: cheese chicken rice at Goobne

It had been a while since I took my family out for a light outing and date in Hongdae, where every alley is full of memories from my school days. Walking through the youthful, energetic streets, I suddenly craved a cold draft beer with freshly roasted chicken. Fried chicken can feel a bit heavy to feed a kid, so when Goobne Chicken — known for its oven-roasted, low-oil chicken — caught my eye, I walked right in without hesitation. Unlike the delivery-only branches I was used to, this place had a sleek bar vibe with the windows thrown wide open, giving off a pleasant outdoor-drinking romance. Here's my report on a lovely chicken spot in Hongdae!

Where is Goobne Chicken Hongdae Red Road, and what are the hours?

Goobne Chicken Hongdae Red Road is located at 17 Jandari-ro 2-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul. It's about a 9-minute walk from Hongik Univ. Station (Line 2, Gyeongui-Jungang Line, Airport Railroad) Exit 9 along Red Road toward Sangsangmadang, or about 8 minutes from Hapjeong Station Exit 3.

• Address: 17 Jandari-ro 2-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• Transit: About 9 min walk from Hongik Univ. Station Exit 9 / 8 min from Hapjeong Station Exit 3
• Hours: Sun–Thu 11:00–2:00, Fri–Sat 11:00–3:00 (open daily, no break time)
• Parking: No dedicated lot; nearby paid or public parking recommended

Inside: open windows on the 1st floor, self-bar on the 2nd

Turning into the alley, this wasn't your typical chicken restaurant exterior at all — it had a hip, western-pub-style interior that caught my eye instantly. The first floor had bold red-toned walls, neon signs glowing stylishly, and long bar tables with tall stools that gave it an exotic feel. Best of all, the windows were thrown wide open with outdoor tables set up right outside, perfect for enjoying chimaek in the cool breeze, like a proper beer-garden night out.

Heading up to the second floor revealed a spacious, cozy hall with a completely different charm from the first floor. In the center was a neat open kitchen and self-bar where you could easily grab utensils or sauces, and a large screen against a dark backdrop played moody films and music videos that added to the atmosphere. With plenty of tables and generous space, it's a great chicken spot in Hongdae for evening dates as well as group dinners or gatherings.

How the whole Gochu Basasak and Galbi Cheonwang Cheese Chibap tasted

We ordered Goobne's signature Gochu Basasak (whole) and the Galbi Cheonwang Cheese Chibap (short-rib cheese rice) for our kid.

Ordering the Galbi Cheonwang Cheese Chibap for our kid was a great call. There was no spiciness at all — just a sweet, savory special short-rib sauce with melty, nutty cheese draped over tender boneless chicken and rice, and the combination was fantastic. There was also plenty of chicken mixed in. Thanks to the sweet-and-salty flavor, even our usually picky eater cleared almost the whole bowl, which made me really proud.

The golden-brown Gochu Basasak showed off exactly what oven-roasted chicken can do. Even though it's baked, not fried, the skin — dusted with cheongyang chili powder — was thin and crispy, keeping that crispy-outside, juicy-inside texture intact. The meat inside was moist and full of juice, and with every bite, the sharp, clean heat of cheongyang chili wrapped around my mouth, leaving zero greasiness. Dipping it alternately in the spicy-mild Marbling sauce and the tangy Goblin sauce added even more depth, and I never got tired of it, right down to the last piece.

Verdict: why Goobne Chicken Hongdae Red Road works with a child

Goobne Chicken Hongdae Red Road delivered a special evening with its healthy, low-oil oven-roasted chicken, hip bar vibe, and breezy outdoor-drinking romance.

• A stylish pub atmosphere and 1F outdoor terrace for that beer-garden feel.
• A menu that satisfied the whole family: spicy, crispy Gochu Basasak and the kid-approved Galbi Cheonwang Cheese Chibap.
• Generous hours: open late into the early morning.

If you want to enjoy chimaek in a hip atmosphere with a cool night breeze, this is a top chicken spot in Hongdae well worth a visit!